LATEST STORIES
Kupe's Landing
As part of our Set for School programme and our centre’s localised curriculum, our tamariki who are in their final year at Montessori get to embark on a special excursion to Oruaiti Reserve walk. This hikoi (walk) was 2.3km hence why it is a special excursion only for our eldest tamariki in the year that they prepare for their transition to school.
Before this excursion, our tamariki explore our local parakau (story) of Kupe and the giant Wheke. We discover how Kupe and his people were considered the first explorers to find Aotearoa, New Zealand and were led to our Wellington harbour by the giant Wheke (octopus).
Our trek started above Breaker Bay and it is such a big walk but it led to amazing ocean views.
When we reached the symbolic shape on the ground representing Kupe's waka, we looked at the carving to see if we could spot te wheke. Some say it's carved onto the Māori carving, but we found it a little tricky to spy.
On our way, our tamariki also passed Seatoun School, where Kupe and his people had planted some kumara. Some of our tamariki from Montessori now attend Seatoun School.
We are so lucky to have this reserve in our local area – it’s great that our tamariki are able to make connections with our community as well as making links within their community to their local parakau of Kupe and the Giant Wheke. Such a special hikoi for our tamariki!